The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-08-13
MAD0LINES FATE.
BY X. T.
CHAPTER I.

1lithB HaA ttVtAtO lloNAA lbo ldll-
est colors. Deep In the woods the
purple OF the odorous violets covered
the soft moss, and the yellow daffodils
nodded welcome TO the primroses
that were just opening their buds in
the dewy shelter OF their green leaves.
lit is as III all nature had awakened
TO new life" Madeline Glide thought,
rs she stood in the shadow of an old
rustic mill, listening 10 the ripple of
the stream. "How happy it makes
one feel"
Happy, indeed. she looked, with her
bright eyes rejecting the sunny
warmth of the cloudless sky, her soft
lips parted 10 inhale the fresh warm
breeze that came to her laden with
forest fragrance.
Simply dressed in some light grey
fabric. and pleated bodice confined at
the vast by pale blue ribbon, and
bows of the same trimming her straw
hat, dainty she looked withal. and
graceful as a harebell, as she leaned
over the stream, with the breeze hut.
tering the golden curls around her face,
and setting everything about her in
delicate motion.
"This dear old MILL" she murmured.
glancing lovingly up from the flowing
water TO the broken moss covered
beams. "How | love itl AS Ii II
would not be like destroying some
living thing 20 pull il down. Why.
the spirit OF that great solemn wheel
would haunt the spot for everl"
She smiled at her thoughts, and then
n look of startled wonder came into
her eyes, and she held her breath in
frightened listening.
II heard something" she exclaimed
nwardly--''someih that sounded
like n moan. Could IL have been
fancy?--thc wind? No. Again"
Her face grew pale. and she shrank
from out the shadow OF the creaking
shafts with deep awe in her heart.
Was the mill haunted? Sire had
heard some talk 20 this effect in her
childish days; WAS there truth in the
rumor? Once more the sound came
family 20 her, and she looked on the
sunny scene around her, the fear that
had made her heart beat with redoubled
force gradually spent itself in "A long
deep breath, and practical sense re-
turned to her.
"Somebody must be there lin pain"
was the next conclusion she came 10.
81 wonder il | had better call for help,
or go up first, and discover what is
really the natter"
She decided on this last course, and
without moments pause. she climbed
the rickety old ladder, and entered the
disused mill
The light streaming in through the
narrow openings, where once the win
dows had been, showed up the ruined
disorder of the place, the crumbling
walls with the ivy creeping through
every crevice, and the white dust
which lay thickly upon the floor.
Madeline saw nothing of these.
Her gaze was ilzed on the form of a
man lying on some straw In the dark
est corner, and her mute lips seemed TO
ask a silent question as she moved TO
his side and bent over him.
II have met with an accident" the
man gasped, framing each syllable
with difficulty. II crept in here last
night. / thought | must die before
any one came 20 me-"
The words ended In moan Of pain,
and second look at the white pros
trate face warned Madeline that the
stranger was on the point of swoon-
ing.
A wooden cup lay on one of the
Wondering shelves. She snatched II
up hastily, and descending the rickerty
staircase. she plunged the bowl into
the stream, and letting IL oil 10 the
hrim, once more hurried breathlessly
up the stairs.
It was but the work OF an instant to
kneel down and raise the strangers
head. to hold the refreshing draught TO
his parched lips.
"DrInk," she said gently; "the cool
water will revive you. and you will be
able 10 tell me what can do TO serve
YOU"
lie drank eagerly, gratefully, and